New Procedure Offers
Relief from Sinusitis
The simple act of breathing is not so easy
for those who suffer from sinusitis, an
infection or inflammation of the sinuses.
Nearly 32 million cases of chronic sinusitis are
reported to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention each year. But a new procedure
called balloon sinuplasty may provide relief for
those who experience frequent sinusitis, freeing
them from common symptoms, such as painful
headaches and nasal congestion.
What Is Sinuplasty?
Unlike conventional sinus surgery, which cuts away tissue to open the blockage, sinuplasty improves breathing without incisions. It’s very similar to the way doctors expand clogged arteries: using a balloon. During sinuplasty, surgeons insert a thin, flexible tube—called a catheter—equipped with a small balloon at the end. The device is guided through the nostrils into the blocked sinus. The balloon is then infl ated just enough to expand the sinus area, causing the opening to become wider and allowing for easier breathing.What Are the Benefits?
Sinuplasty is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. Because no cutting of tissue is involved, there’s less risk of developing scar tissue that could reblock the sinus—a concern with conventional surgery. And recovery time from sinuplasty is fast. Many people can resume their normal activities the next day, compared with weeks after traditional surgery.If you suffer from frequent sinusitis, talk with your doctor to see whether sinuplasty can help you.
Paul Warrick, M.D., is a board
certified otolaryngologist, a physician
who studies and treats the
ear, nose, throat, head, and neck.
Dr. Warrick attended medical
school at McMaster University
DeGroote School of Medicine in Ontario, Canada.
He completed his internship and residency at the
University of Toronto. Dr. Warrick moved his
practice to Caldwell County and opened his office—Piedmont Vista Ear, Nose, Throat, Allergy and Sleep
Associates—behind Southfork Medical Park. For
more information, call 828-728-2188 . Piedmont Vista
Ear, Nose, Throat, Allergy and Sleep Associates,
PLLC, is not a division of Caldwell Memorial Hospital.
